Molecular Phylogeny of Microorganisms
Aharon Oren and R. Thane Papke of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel and the University of Connecticut, USA (respectively) present a new publication on microbial phylogeny: Molecular Phylogeny of Microorganisms. Leading scientists from around the world explore current concepts in molecular phylogeny and their application with respect to microorganisms. The authors describe the different approaches applied today to elucidate the molecular phylogeny of prokaryotes (and eukaryotic protists) and review current phylogenetic methods, techniques and software tools. Topics covered include: a historical overview, computational tools, multilocus sequence analysis, 16S rRNA phylogenetic trees, rooting of the universal tree of life, applications of conserved indels, lateral gene transfer, endosymbiosis and the evolution of plastids.
This book is an ideal introduction to molecular phylogeny for all microbiologists and is an essential review of current concepts for experts in the field. A recommended text for all microbiology laboratories read more ...
This book is an ideal introduction to molecular phylogeny for all microbiologists and is an essential review of current concepts for experts in the field. A recommended text for all microbiology laboratories read more ...
 | Edited by: Aharon Oren and R. Thane Papke ISBN: 978-1-904455-67-7 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: July 2010 Cover: Hardback read more ... |
Microbial Phylogenetics: Horizontal Gene Transfer
Efforts to construct the tree of life take their conceptual motivation from Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Until the advent of molecular biology, however, a universal tree of life was well beyond the scope of the data and methods of traditional organismal phylogeny. The rapid development of these methods and bodies of genetic sequence from the 1970s onwards resulted in major reclassifications of life and revived ambitions to represent all organismal lineages by one true tree of life. Subsequent realization of the significance of lateral gene transfer and other non-vertical processes has subtly reconceptualized and reoriented attempts to construct this universal phylogeny.
Gene transfer has affected the formation of groups of organisms. Gene transfer can make it more difficult to define and determine relationships. In those cases where many genes have been transferred between preferred partners, the majority of genes in a genome may reflect gene acquisition, and as a consequence, if a coherent signal is detected, one nevertheless might not be sure that the signal is due to organismal shared ancestry. However, the presence of a particular transferred gene has been shown, in several cases, to constitute a shared derived character useful in classification. Gene transfer can put together new metabolic pathways that open up new ecological niches, and consequently, the transfer of an adaptive gene might create a new group of organisms read more ...
from Molecular Phylogeny of Microorganisms by Aharon Oren and R. Thane Papke (2010)
References
Gene transfer has affected the formation of groups of organisms. Gene transfer can make it more difficult to define and determine relationships. In those cases where many genes have been transferred between preferred partners, the majority of genes in a genome may reflect gene acquisition, and as a consequence, if a coherent signal is detected, one nevertheless might not be sure that the signal is due to organismal shared ancestry. However, the presence of a particular transferred gene has been shown, in several cases, to constitute a shared derived character useful in classification. Gene transfer can put together new metabolic pathways that open up new ecological niches, and consequently, the transfer of an adaptive gene might create a new group of organisms read more ...
from Molecular Phylogeny of Microorganisms by Aharon Oren and R. Thane Papke (2010)
References
Evolution of Plastids
Photosynthesis is one of the most successful energy production strategies on the planet and has been co-opted numerous times throughout evolutionary history via the uptake and retention of photosynthetic cells by non-photosynthetic eukaryotic heterotrophs. Whereas the result of this process is clear, what is not settled is the mode and tempo of plastid movement among eukaryotes, particularly plastids of red algal derivation. Recent changes in our understanding of the relationships between eukaryotic supergroups have only served to complicate the picture further. Of particular interest is the evolution of plastids, the relationships among photosynthetic eukaryotes, the process of endosymbiogenesis and the variation in ways plastids have been modified to suit the light harvesting needs of their hosts. The understanding of all of these factors is an active field of continued research that will undoubtedly lead to further discoveries in the coming years read more ...
from Molecular Phylogeny of Microorganisms by Aharon Oren and R. Thane Papke (2010)
References
from Molecular Phylogeny of Microorganisms by Aharon Oren and R. Thane Papke (2010)
References